|
Wasted by Marya Hornbacher: This biography of a young anorexic-bulimic is both fascinating and frightening. Hearing the story from her point of view makes starving oneself to death seem almost reasonable. It is a terrifying and compelling account of the spiral of obsession and mania that drove this young woman to almost destroy herself. Told in a frank yet devouring manner, this book touches the very heart of madness that is hidden in us all.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah: This rather sad memoir of a lonely Chinese girl gives a fascinating insight into child-parent relationships. Despite her own success and happy marriage, she is still haunted by childhood rejections. Although less substantial than I had expected, this is still a good read. RECOMMENDED.
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden: The bitter-sweet tale of an awkward peasant girl's transformation into graceful and accomplished geisha. Dispelling myths and blowing away the romantic trappings, it reveals the hard work and suffering required for this fast-vanishing art. An excellent read, the only down side being that it is a work of fiction. RECOMMENDED.
The Coming Plague by Laurie Garrett: This excellent non-fiction book describes man's fight against disease since the advent of antibiotics. Riveting descriptions of the emergence and identification of new diseases and the adaptation of old ones are combined with warnings against complacency. Don't be put off by the sheer size of this publication, it is written in flowing, easy to understand terms. An excellent read, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
|
|
